diy: flannel cutout shirt

So I went thrifting with my little sister today and picked up a flannel, because I've seriously been in love with the cutout shoulders look for a while now (it adds great edge to any top), and especially the Flannel Cutout Shirt by UNIF over at NastyGal. Unfortunately, its all sold out now, but being the crafty kinda gal that I am, I decided to DIY one for myself, and although I would have liked a much more over-sized flannel; I do really like how it turned out.
What do you guys think? :}
xoxo Coco
P.S. HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYBODY!!! <333

Presenting Urchin Mag!

Currently Listening to:

"God Made Man" by Young the Giant

Hello my lovelies! I've been hard at work on the new Muffin Top Baby shop along with a bunch of other new and exciting things for MTB. In the meantime though, I wanted to take the time to share with you guys a new side project that my little sister and I have started up: Urchin Mag.

Part blog, part magazine, Urchin Mag is a brand new blogzine inspired by sunburns, bare feet, and the streets of the OC - as well our own childhoods growing up in Huntington Beach! It is rooted in the unique youth style, culture, and vibe of sunny Southern California and we'll be featuring everything from fashion, music, art, and live events that embody So-Cal and the surf, swim, and skate lifestyle.

So if you live in your swimsuit and love the smell of the ocean air, check out Urchin Mag! <3

xoxo Coco

The Last House on the Left + HELLO, NEW FOLLOWERS!

Currently Listening to:

"Dirge" by Death in Vegas

(Metallica shirt c/o my step brother, Mossimo cutoff shorts, faux fox

tail from the markets in the LA, BC ankle biker boots.)

I love October. The beginning of Autumn in general is amazing, actually. The leaves are changing and the sunsets somehow always seem more poetic around this time of year. Plus there's always that onset of childish excitement for Halloween (one of my favorite holidays) no matter how old you are. Admittedly, I usually spend my October nights watching scary movies and having marathons of my two biggest guilty pleasures: Paranormal State. I will also confess that I have a bit of crush on Ryan Buell. There, I said it.

I'm very excited for Halloween. (All of my neighbors have decorations up, so I'm thinking a Halloween-themed outfit post/shoot may be in order.) And although twenty-one is decidedly a little too old to trick-r-treat, I still plan on celebrating, and dressing up. As what, I'm still not sure, which is a little sad considering the thirty-first is only about a week and a half away. I do well under pressure though, so I'll likely come up with something resourceful two days before and DIY it all myself. Yay for crafting! Lol!

Now though I'd like to take the time to say hello and welcome to my amazing new followers!

• Dynamic Super Duo VivyKora
• Hip Miss Haley Hour, who has her own fabulous shop HERE
• Adorably inspiring, Rae of Tiny Vanilla Frap
• Uber stylish Romina Gentilini
• Miss Mabel, who is one of THE coolest and cutest modern pinup girls
• Life-loving rebel girl, Marieke
• The cool and creative Hannah of Tot Ho Faig Malament
• Amara from Cello & Bow, who has amazing taste in music
• The artistically inclined Ahn from A Sea of Thoughts
• And the ever Moustachic Miss Annalisa

I'm so happy to have you be a part of the Muffin Top Baby family, and so glad to know that you loved my blog enough to follow!

Thank you so much for the wonderful comments and the love! They mean so much to me <3

xoxo Coco

Prove you're alive.

Currently Listening to:

"Preaching to the Choir Invisible, Pt II" by Quiet Company

(Top by Liz Lange for Target, leggings by Miss Juli, heels from Forever 21.)

I don't know why, but lately I've been finding myself more and more inspired by the edgier side of fashion. I'm really digging neutral, black and gray especially, as well as dark shades and jewel tones like ruby and raspberry and chartreuse. Of course, that's not to say that I still don't love me some lace and a great pencil skirt, but my mood seems to be shifting with the season, I guess. The leaves are changing and so am I. (And that's not a bad thing, I don't think?) You all know me: I'm usually a Spring and Summer kind of gal, but... I don't know what it is about this Fall, but it has me itching to throw on huge, slouchy sweaters and super skinny jeans. Unfortunately, I don't have many of either of those, but I guess that gives me a good reason to shop, huh?

Do any of you, my fabulous readers, happen to have any suggestions on where to look for the perfect Fall sweaters and skinnies? (Preferably that carry size XL?) If so, I'm all ears! :}

xoxo Coco

You're a star in nobody's eyes but mine.

Currently Listening to:

"Andy, You're A Star" by The Killers

(Kirra jacket from PacSun, sweater by JPR Junior,

Xhilaration super skinnies, and ankle boots by Mudd)

I've been so sick lately, its horrible. Thankfully now I have new medical insurance though, so I have access to what I need to get better. The past few days have been really nice with my new medication to moderate my UC, not to mention the weather has been really pretty. Rainy, but pretty. I'm looking forward to an LA trip here in the next couple of weeks to stay with Katie and Bradford over at Natural, to work on some stuff for the agency (yay for photoshoots!) and new content for HNS. Katie was actually just in Oprah Magazine as well with a great 8-page spread on society's (extreme) ideals of beauty and the pressure it puts on people, young and old, to be "perfect". The article includes a really amazing photo as well. I strongly urge everyone check it out for themselves HERE! :}

Anyhoo. I thought I'd switch it up in this outfit post and actually do some fun street shots instead of my usual wall photos. Especially now that the weather is changing, the sun won't be so harsh. Overcast weather always makes for pretty lighting. In other news, I made some clip-in bangs! And I'm seriously so in love with how they look! I've always wanted straight bangs, but since I promised Katie I wouldn't do anything else drastic to my hair, I decided to fake my fringes instead and DIY'd some out a pair of curly hair extensions I'd had for a while now. Yay for hair stuff!

Hope you are all fabulous! Lots of love <3

xoxo Coco

MUFFIN TOP BABY CELEBRATES ITS 1ST BIRTHDAY!!!

Currently Listening to:

"Breathe" by Miss A

(Dress by BeBop, shoes and tights from Forever21, glasses by Ray-Ban)

I can't believe its been a whole year! Unfortunately, I woke up incredibly dehydrated, but I managed to suck it up and snap some quick pics for you guys in my new dress. Isn't it darling? My mom bought it for me as a Bloggerthday present! And to celebrate the blog, I decided to switch up the banner :}

From the bottom of my heart though, I want to thank all of my readers for your love and support! From spreading the word about Muffin Top Baby, to returning to read and comment time and time again, and even for all your well wishes and prayers through my health struggles... You guys have  seriously made this such a great experience, and it makes blogging all the more worth it!

I look forward to celebrating birthday #2 with all of you!!! <3

xoxo Coco